It now appears that the outcry against SOPA, as well as the Obama administration's recent decision to break its silence over the bill, has not fallen on deaf ears.

In an official statement posted on the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform site today, committee chairman Darrell Issa revealed that SOPA will "not move to the House floor this Congress without a consensus."

SOPA has been shelved.

"While I remain concerned about Senate action on the Protect IP Act, I am confident that flawed legislation will not be taken up by this House," Issa said. "Majority Leader Cantor has assured me that we will continue to work to address outstanding concerns, and work to build consensus prior to any anti-piracy legislation coming before the House for a vote."

"The voice of the Internet community has been heard. Much more education for members of Congress about the workings of the Internet is essential if anti-piracy legislation is to be workable and achieve broad appeal."

The announcement comes after a recent decision by the bill's original sponsor, Rep Chairman Lamar Smith (R, TX), to remove the DNS-filtering provision from the law, a practice by which SOPA would allow the government to block Americans' access to specific foreign sites suspected of engaging in piracy.

However, Issa said that SOPA is still a "fundamentally flawed bill," even with the removal of the DNS-filtering provision. He stated that his intention now is to continue to push forward the advice of experts on the issue of antipiracy legislation and bid Congress to consider the bipartisan OPEN Act, which "provides an alternative means for protecting intellectual property rights without undermining the structure and entrepreneurialism of the Internet."

@renegade_magnum
Dude, you should give up. Clearly he's an immature child looking for the last say in everything, and he can't put two comments together without calling someone names.
Anyone who talks out of his a** is usually full of it anyway. You're not gonna get anywhere dealing with that kind of attention whoring ignorance.

@renegade_magnum
Again.. kindly close the opening at the front of your facial region.
How old actually are you? Because no offense but it seems to me like you always seem to have to have the last word. At least everyone else gave up on this argument (including myself), you just seem to be after the satisfaction of having the final say :?
Strange strange boy.

@warhawk-geeby
"Shut up already."
Exactly what YOU should have done in the beginning. In the future, kindly refrain from insulting/telling people they have no lives simply because they voice out their opinions. Where they choose to voice those opinions out is no business of yours.

@warhawk-geeby
So was the NDAA. And yet it passed. Fact.
If and when SOPA does fall through I'll be thinking not of you, who did nothing more than insult everyone who was vocal about their being upset by it, I'll be thinking instead of those who fought against it, instead of flippantly and irresponsibly ignoring the problem as if it would go away on its own. Fact.
If and when SOPA does fall through it won't be in the slightest bit because you were right...it will be because people fought for what was right. Fact.

@renegade_magnum
:roll:
Hello again..
I've given up now as regardless to what I say you just keep spouting the same crap over and over again.
When SOPA does fall through I'll be thinking of you.
I'm not even going to repeat my argument again as it wouldn't achieve anything, I've said it at least 3 times now and every time you go off on another tangent.
SOPA was flawed before it began.. Fact.

@warhawk-geeby
"Such a restrictive legislation is never going to be passed, companies are against it and politicians are against it. And it's for that reason that I say you're all wasting your breath (on here). There's much better things you could be doing with your time."
Look, I don't know if this comment is made in jest or in ignorance, but what you say couldn't be further from the truth. Ever heard of the Patriot Act, the NDAA? Those got passed, certainly thanks in no small part to the inaction of people who didn't even know that such oppressive pieces of legislation were being considered. So quite frankly, your opinion "if it's bad it won't get passed" is absolute codswallop. The NDAA is a prime example of bad legislation that CAN pass whether people agree with it or not.
When (If) SOPA does fall through it won't fall through because it was bad. It will fall through only through the actions of those who fought against it. And that may or may not include people here, but they deserve to voice out their opinions.
PS. I will lighten up when SOPA DOES fall through. In the meantime, however, while I can certainly respect someone else's opinion, I cannot respect someone who easily dismisses the opinion of others, which is how you came across, whatever your intentions were.

@spoonybard-hahs
Well it's a good job you keep replying to clarify things as I seemingly don't know my own intentions anymore :?
I'm not here for the argument, I was here to back-up my opinions. Mr Magnum got offended by my nerd/geek comment and you now appear to know my original actions better than I did.
Shall we both just agree to shut up now?
When SOPA does fall through just remember my argument - It wasn't going anywhere anyway.

@warhawk-geeby
However, the biggest and most flagrant of trespasses here, is your obvious attention whoring. While I try to avoid ad hominem as much as possible, I cannot help but point out that a) you came in here because you wanted to declare you were right, we wrong and b) you're still here because you "love the argument" that's transpired.

@warhawk-geeby
Yeah, you are ignoring it. Completely. You're argument carries no weight because you're making a generalized assumption about people on here. You're also ignoring that posting a comment on an article is what people do, weather it's for personal edification or to start a dialogue with other people. And as I've said before, topic doesn't matter. My example of Charles Xavier was hyperbole to show just how asinine your thinking is.
Your assumptions do not make an argument. When you assume things, it shows no thought, only an ability to jump to conclusions with no factual knowledge of what you're talking about.
Additionally, you're assuming that what we say here doesn't make an impact to begin with. Both politicians and companies pay out the nose for PR people, who comb the internet for opinion data. Hell, the governor of my own state pays someone to search Twitter, Facebook, and Google to find what's being said about him.
You also keep going on about how such a restrictive piece of legislation will not pass, especially with such a strong dissenting opinion about it. Recent history says otherwise; between a government that loves money (there's already almost $100 million in play) and a president that has a habit of saying one thing, then doing the complete opposite, these bills still have a chance to pass when they are reintroduced.

@spoonybard-hahs
@renegade_magnum
Sorry guys I've been away for the weekend so couldn't reply sooner. I'm back at work though now and on my lunch break so will do you both the pleasure of a response.
You do realise that I am actually loving this argument? It makes a nice break from my working day :D
Round 4 are we on now? *ding ding ding*
Renegade Magnum (awesome name by the way) you've taken this way too far now, and it's actually getting amusing. Who on here feels genuinely insulted by what I said? Not many I'd imagine, except maybe yourself.. but it wasn't intentional. If you found my nerd/geek argument insulting then I apologise, but you seriously need to lighten up a bit :? It was a simple matter of explaining a situation in the easiest method possible, if you're a bright individual use your talents to their best ability.
Spoonybard, I wasn't ignoring your argument, I just found you'd gone a bit off the point.. If you folks are signing petitions and taking action then congratulations - I wasn't attempting anything 'Charles Xavier'-ish I was merely stating an opinion. If people are being serious about their SOPA argument then fair play to them.
Such a restrictive legislation is never going to be passed, companies are against it and politicians are against it. And it's for that reason that I say you're all wasting your breath (on here). There's much better things you could be doing with your time.

NO-ONE GO TO E3, THIS IS THERE BIGGEST MONEY MAKER, EVERYONE THAT MAKES GAMES HAS SAID THAT THERE NOT GOING TO E3, DONT GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND ALSO IS GAMESPOT FOR OR AGAINST SOPA? IF THERE FOR THEN IM LEAVING THIS SITE FOREVER

@warhawk-geeby
Contradicted myself? Are you daft? Again, you seem to be unable to comprehend what little English you DO read. That little paragraph I quoted you saying was what you SHOULD HAVE SAID in order to get your point across TO BEGIN WITH, instead of insulting/ranting about those who rant, and in the process earn the annoyance of multiple people. My point was you tried to get your point across by insulting people instead of putting plainly and in a civil manner. I didn't quote ANOTHER reference of yours, I only did the favor of removing the last line of the quote for you since it was false. IT ISN'T ALL THAT YOU'RE SAYING. You were trying to make a point AND THEN insulting people to make it.
And I AM bothered by this legislation, and I DO in fact do far more than certainly you could be possibly bothered to about it. You seem hell-bent on assuming that anyone who rants and expresses their opinion here is incapable of more than that, which is what many were pissed about in the first place.
You didn't go out to personally insult anyone, instead you insulted everyone.
And if you're so bothered about arguing and 'wasting' time, then allow me to reassure you, my going on about this issue and redirecting people to sites that help denounce SOPA doesn't waste nearly as much time as you going on about how 'geeks raging on Gamespot' does.

i hope this bloody bill gets the boot after the delay is over this is just a bloody waste of time,money and freedom letting that retarded bill get to work some people i know started copying wiki as first as they heard about sopa in fear they might lose all that info others started downloading the stuff they want from you tube before its screwed if this crap happens do people realy need to go thro all of this? while at the end its the common dude who will get hurt not the pirets

@warhawk-gebby
You've seem to have missed my point entirely. Or you just refuse to acknowledge it for whatever reason.
Commenting on an article on the internet is what people do. Go to YouTube, Yahoo, CNN, Facebook, etc, you will encounter the same thing, regardless of topic.
Your fallacy lies in the fact that a) you assume to know what people are concerned about and b) that they are not doing anything concerning this issue beyond commenting on this page.
YOU ARE NOT CHARLES XAVIER.
You have no way of knowing if people have signed petitions or not. You do not know if they have or haven't called their state's representatives. You have no way of knowing if they did as PATV Show "Extra Credits" suggested and write to gaming personalities and publishers/developers, asking them not to attend nor cover E3 to put pressure on the ESA.
You. Don't. Know.
What you're doing is getting miffed at a zebra because it has stripes. People will talk in the comments section all day long - everywhere - and you telling them to do something about it is pointless.
Thinking further, I realize however that this stems from some blatant "I was right, you were wrong," mentality. You initially came here acting as a pariah because of what you said on another artcile. You seem to be here for no other reason than to prove how right you were.
PIPA is still in play and SOPA will return to the congressional docket next month.

@renegade_magnum
I can't believe you've actually just took the time to write 3 separate posts all to myself, that's impressive!
I'm not going to go crazy like you just have because a) I seriously cannot be bothered, and b) it wouldn't achieve anything.
But have you not just totally contradicted yourself?
You quoted my original comment, broke it down and then stated all this ranting on here does achieve something, and then you quote another reference of mine and say if I'd said that in the first place it wouldn't be a problem - and yet I was still stating the exact same thing?
I didn't set out to personally insult anyone, just make a point. If you're a self-obsessed freedom preacher though then that's fine, well done to you! But don't repeat your previous argument when I've just congratulated you for your passion.
I'll say it again in pure plain English for the benefit of your knowledge... (I'd recommend reading carefully)
Stop wasting time on here preaching and talking tripe and vent your anger into something worthwhile that actually achieves something.
Yes people will read your comments, and yes you may get a little army of minions. But if you're THAT bothered about some crappy legislation which isn't going anywhere then do something more effective about it. Arguing with me is wasting everybody's time.
Sincereley,
The 'jerk' xx

@warhawk-geeby
I apologize for this wall, but I would like you to hear what you put forward in your OWN words:
"All I'm saying is if you're truly that bothered about SOPA then sign a petition, write to Obama himself, hell stage a protest in the middle of times square and be noticed for all I care. All the comments and rants in the world on this link won't achieve sweet bugger all.. that's all I'm saying."
Realize this. The reason for such negative feedback is PRECISELY BECAUSE THIS ISN'T ALL YOU'RE SAYING.
You're out here, telling people to get lives, telling people that they're geeks, that all they're doing is raging, that they obsess over small things when they are simply being vocal about what matters. (And free speech is NEVER a small thing).
You wouldn't be getting so much flak if all you said was exactly what you typed.
"If you're truly that bothered about SOPA then sign a petition, write to Obama himself, stage a protest in the middle of times square and be noticed."
There, if you had just said that in the beginning instead of hurling insults at how people had no lives, you would have gotten your point across in a civil and constructive manner without having to come out as a total jerk. There are easier and more civilized ways to get your point across without having to insult people.

@warhawk-geeby
"And finally Mr magnum himself, I wasn't calling gamers geeks you muppet, I'm a gamer myself"
No, you simply called every gamer on Gamespot who expressed a negative reaction to SOPA as a 'geek,' then went on to say that that you're either a 'nerd' or a 'geek', and then went even further by saying that as 'geeks' they have no social grasp of anything.
Impressive. Way to insult everyone who takes a stand without even understanding my answer.
My point is gamers aren't either 'nerds' or 'geeks', they can be both. It's not one or the other. By your theory, you seem to want to suggest that one is either a benefit to society and therefore incapable of expressing anger/rage at something that incites it wherever one chooses, or one is someone who gets angry at an issue and is vocal about that anger, and therefore must be someone who has nothing useful to contribute to society. Vocal anger and usefulness to society are not mutually exclusive traits to, as you so strangely put it, 'the clever people'.

@warhawk-geeby
Calling people who genuinely care enough to express concern and anger over an issue that abuses the first amendment "Geeks" and then claiming they have "no social grasp" IS AN INSULT. Are you saying people have no right to be angry? Poeple have no right to cry out in protest? Did it ever occur to you, that people who actually see how much negative feedback this bill receives on ANY site, whether it be Gamespot, Youtube, articles on Reddit, ANYWHERE, might actually stop and think 'maybe it's something I should be concerned about?'
Do you for example know that in my workplace alone it was precisely ranting on THIS VERY SITE while reading comments on another article regarding SOPA that several colleagues who were initially unaware of SOPA to begin with that got them on their phones to call their Reps?
IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE. EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS. Spreading information on sites such as Gamespot is a good thing. Even if I see a hundred comments of people riled up about it and only one of them signs a petition because of it, then it was worth it. We're not all here to simply b*tch and move on. But generalizing and calling the combined efforts of an entire online community and boiling it down to a 'geek rant' will definitely earn my ire, as well as the disapproval of many people. Instead of triviliazing it, why not do something constructive yourself? Many users on this site have already posted links to several online petitions and similar websites to help redirect people to it. THAT is being constructive. Whereas the first comment that came out of you (on another thread) was "99.9 percent of you need to get a life."
Way to boil it down. You don't give a d*mn. I get it. If you don't, then just don't say anything. Why are you even commenting on something you care nothing about? But DO NOT insult those who do care.

@renegade_magnum
@Torque203
@tequilasunriser
@spoonybard-hahs
@plastik892
Firstly that's one hell of a long list of folks that I seem to have genuinely annoyed by my comments, and that's not something I'm proud of, it's quite sad really :?
I'll put it in a nutshell though so I don't confuse you all :)
All I'm saying is if you're truly that bothered about SOPA then sign a petition, write to Obama himself, hell stage a protest in the middle of times square and be noticed for all I care. All the comments and rants in the world on this link won't achieve sweet bugger all.. that's all I'm saying.
I've read all of your feedback and yes your words of truthful insight may spur other individuals of the world to 'take up arms', and yes some of the comments on this website may be linked to other websites as examples, but do you seriously honestly truthfully believe that someone having a rant on here will be noticed? No. Of course they won't.
Government legislation's aren't decided by some guys sitting away arguing on a comments thread, they're decided by actual feedback - and petitions by people with genuine thoughts and insight.
I'm not having a go at you guys because you've got the passion which a lot of folks lack, I'm just saying you should channel it somewhere useful.
And finally Mr magnum himself, I wasn't calling gamers geeks you muppet, I'm a gamer myself :?
Feel free to comment back on this subject as I could go all day.

@warhawk-geeby
Lastly, your delusion that "there's a million things to be worried about" is exactly the worst kind of attitude that anyone claiming to have some semblance of social conscience could possibly have. The idea that one can only combat one injustice at a time is what breeds injustice in the first place. It breeds inaction. It is tantamount to saying "Well, who cares about losing free speech, there are still people who are struggling in this economy." And your point is what? Should we only act when the economy is good? Maybe we shouldn't get involved in ANY important issues until we achieve world peace. Maybe we shouldn't care about ANYTHING until there is no more world hunger as well. We act on what we can. Since when did free speech become so low on your list of 'things we should worry about'? Did you, in your 'holier-than-thou' assessment of this issue ever stop to consider that free speech is on the FIRST AMENDMENT for a reason? And yet you point your finger at those who are genuinely concerned that such an inalienable right is about to be abused significantly by a bill that has such far-reaching legal power?
If anything, I think it is YOU who needs a social conscience. You have no authority to denounce anyone of a cause that they support. Good day to you, sir.

@warhawk-geeby
"Generally obsess over small things with no real relevance to the human society."
Sir, I am insulted by your asinine and crass remarks. You seem to be under the extremely thoughtless and absurd delusion that people who play games are, in your parlance, 'geeks'. Games are a form of entertainment that are not limited to 12-year-olds who rely solely on their parents for financial security. Games are enjoyed by all sorts of people, including "Nerds" who "are intelligent but succeed great things in life, scientists, doctors, engineers etc. and actually offer something to the community", I would know, as I am actually one such 'nerd'. In my opinion, it is good that people who frequent this site are interested in things other than games. It shows the exact opposite of what you call 'rage'. It shows that they actually have a social conscience, and are not simply children without a "social grasp on the world at all". In fact it is evidence that they care more about the next game to be released, they care about their rights as well. (cont.)

Bad news. It hasn't even been 'shelved' anymore.
Numerous sources have already quoted Lamar Smith as saying that he fully intends to reintroduce SOPA in February following a two week retreat. Make no mistake. Lamar fully intends to keep SOPA alive and kicking. He's like a bad rash. He won't let it die; he's been paid way too much money that he simply won't give up.
1) www.engadget.com/2012/01/17/sopa-markup-resume-february/
2) http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/248305/sponsor_sopa_markup_hearing_to_resume_in_february.html
If you haven't already, read the bill. If you don't understand it, research on it or ask someone knowledgeable about such matters on exactly what this bill does and what power it is capable of giving the wrong people. Make yourself heard. I am sure that anti-SOPA movements and petitions will resume once news of this reaches enough people. As always, myself and those that care about free speech will try and post as many helpful links to news, info, and any potential helpful sites that are pertinent to the issues at hand. In the meantime, if you are in the US and have not called already, please contact your Representative and let them know where you stand. The people deserve a voice. It is up to all of us if we want to be heard.

Damn it. Now pirates will be working overtime as a "**** you" to all the people behind it. This bill is tricky, offering freedom from piracy, but hiding some censorship plans. I must quote Gollum on this... "Tricksy little Congresses!"

@warhawk-geeby
"There are a million things to be worrying about in the world right now rather than some stupid little legislation which has been shelved."
Just because it has been shelved doesn't mean it won't come back. As history has show with other controversial bills, this bill will likely be revised, renamed, and reintroduced until it passes. This isn't some "stupid little legislation," it will be the beginning of the end of the free internet as we know it. DMCA has already done plenty of damage within its limitation, SOPA/PIPA will open the floodgates of censorship. The internet will essentially become an active (rather than passive) form of TV, idiot box #2, if you will.

@warhawk-geeby
So, in other words, you're upset because people are reacting to and commenting on an article.
On the internet.
You can't see it right now, but my head just smashed through my desk.
I don't know if you've noticed, but "comments rage" also happens when articles on the economy, family, jobs, etc pop up. The comments section serves only a finite number of functions: stroking the author's ego, providing a space for readers to discuss the topic, and spurning those same readers to take the topic outside of the forum.
Aside from that, how do you know that these people AREN'T thinking about those things (this is of course, ignoring the fact that losing more of our civil liberties is also a big ********* deal, but I understand people have their own priories). Last time I checked, telepathy don't exist, so you have no idea what everyone on here is concerned about, much less how they might have acted regarding said concerns. And while I will be the first to admit - again - that the internet isn't exactly the best place for constructive dialog at times (and can sometimes display a skull-splitting lack of intelligence), I'm fairly certain most people realize that only moderators and other forum regulars are reading their comments.
By the by, your "definitions" of nerd and geek are interchangeable. A nerd can be just as obsessive of inconsequential matters as a geek. And a geek can be a damn doctor.
Imagine that.

@warhawk-geeby
What you're saying doesn't check. This bill is a slippery slope towards censorship, on par with but having none of the trappings of editing the Constitution. It is vague, topically illiterate and open to abuse by anyone with enough influence to use it. Did you read the title? "...will not advance without consensus, calls for more education on "workings of the Internet" for legislators." You mean to tell me that a group of people who are ignorant concerning, but have the power to alter, the most important form of communication since the written word is trivial? And that based on a prop made by one person? And why would you consider eliminating larger issues from your awareness in light of already existing personal responsibilities? They're not mutually exclusive. Why dismiss the 'average user' when you're in the same but opposite end of the boat?
"raging on here won't achieve anything."
Sure it will. It might spur someone to learn more about it and involve themselves. Just because the conversation continues here, and in other places that have minimal public impact, doesn't mean that some of the same people here didn't participate in the ones that do elsewhere.
Just bizarre.

@spoonybard-hahs
Right okay..
The legislation may have impended our internet freedom, but that's why so many people/companies rebelled against it, and hence me saying you folks haven't got to worry. There are a million things to be worrying about in the world right now rather than some stupid little legislation which has been shelved. The economy, looking after family, paying for bills and holding down a decent job are all far more important than this - but then the average user on this website probably doesn't even have to worry about such matters.
The point I'm getting it is whilst you're all up in arms and fighting for 'freedom' none of your opinions ON HERE are being read. I know the article above quotes the 'internet community' but that's referring to polls and petitions, not some geeks raging over a thread on Gamespot.
There's two types of clever people in the world, nerds and geeks. Nerds are intelligent but succeed great things in life, scientists, doctors, engineers etc. and actually offer something to the community. Geeks however tend to have no social grasp on the world at all and generally obsess over small things with no real relevance to the human society.
"I am sure they will be back. We won the fight but not the battle."
It's comments like that which I'm referring to, by all means rebel against SOPA by signing petitions, but raging on here won't achieve anything.

"The announcement comes after a recent decision by the bill's original sponsor, Rep Chairman Lamar Smith (R, TX), to remove the DNS-filtering provision from the law, a practice by which SOPA would allow the government to block Americans' access to specific foreign sites suspected of engaging in piracy."
So some government idiot just realized that not only would the government block access to their favorite porn site, they'd also be able to legally identify who was looking at nudie pictures in the first place.

@Takeno456
You are so naive. Congress never intended to pass SOPA. The government brought it up so they could collect campaign donations from lawyer firms. After that they turn around and collect campaign donations from civil rights groups not to pass it. Congress will continue to bring up these bills until one side stops donating.